What stops people from Meditating?

I have been meditating for approximately 20 years.  In all that time, I have been doing a meditation practice, I wanted to put the emphasis on the word, “practice”.  There is no prefect way to meditate, the journey is to just keep practicing   There is no expectation when it comes to the meditation practice, but what I know now compared to when I first begin, is that I have created space between my thoughts.

For 10 years I have been holding meditation groups called, “Under the Oak Tree Meditations”.  What we do in the meditations have changed but the practice has not.  A few years ago, I start implementing Moon Meditations with astrology and sometimes numerology insights. Under the Oak Tree Meditations is still under the copy of the Oak Tree seated comfortably around a cozy fire.  I use fire as tools to release, purge and let go of things that no longer serve you.

Twice a month a group of individuals join in a circle to spend time together under the new moon or full moon.  We do a variety of guide meditations and mindfulness practices.  I thought it would be interesting to write this article!  Over the years I have asked people if they meditate daily and most said no, I don’t know how to meditate.  Other comments: they thought they could not achieve the image of a person sitting in complete stillness.

In the beginning the meditations were only in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall.  Last year was the first time we carried the meditations all year through.   We were doing them in my heated garage with a candle altar and this year I have decide to do them in a room of crystals.

Types of Meditation

You can do meditations anywhere any time!  You would be surprised at how many ways there are to meditate.

• Walking Meditation
• Sitting stillness Meditation
• Focused Meditation with a candle, a flower or even sitting in nature.
• Focused Meditation while doing body movements (slow and methodical)
• Quiet Contemplation Meditation
• Meditate while washing the dishes.
• Meditating with a Crystals
• My favourite time to meditate is while painting my house.
• Mindfulness Meditation
• Mantra Meditations
• Affirmation Meditation
• Body Scan
• Visualization Meditation
• Yoga Meditations
• Breath work – connecting with your breath.
• Sound Meditation

Common Reason Why People Don’t Meditation

Meditations have gotten more popular over the years.  However, through my journey with the Under the Oak Tree Mediations most new people that join don’t mediate daily, because they say they don’t know how.  There is always a misconception of whether they are doing it right or wrong.  There is no right or wrong!  Everything is a lesson that we learn by experiencing this practice.

First step to mediating do not have any expectations, surrender to the end results.  Do instead of thinking about!  Remember its about the practice not the result.  The practice is the journey!

1. I don’t have enough time!  We all have enough time for those things that we are passionate about.
2. Its too hard!  It’s the believe of what is expected of you through the meditation.  Going with the flow is the best way to enjoy this process.
3. I can’t sit still that long!  Any time we tell ourselves not to do something or put restrictions on ourselves then it is a resistance of what is!
4. I cannot silence my mind! Don’t try to silence you mind!  If your mind starts wandering you can bring yourself back to your breath.  Or you can visualize cloud around the words and then they float off.  It’s about observing the mind and what comes up, not controlling the mind.  When I first started meditation, I was creating space between my thoughts.
5. Why start something that I know, I cannot follow threw! Start slowly! Set a timer and with 5 minutes of focusing on the flame of a candle.  Or 5 minutes of slowly connecting with your breath.  Another way to start is go on YouTube and follow a guided meditation.
6. I am not spiritual or religious!  This is a misconception that you must be spiritual or Buddhist to meditate.  Meditation is known for creating stillness, silence or inner quiet.  It’s the calm of the nervous tension that can move rapidly through the body.  Meditation helps to enrich our life.  An experiment that I did with my father years ago; he was in a 30-minute session of checking his blood pressure.  The first time he did it, he was agitated, angry, talking a lot and his blood pressure was high.  The next time he did it, I put earphones on him with quiet, soothing music and he sat there peacefully.  Results were that his pressure was 79/120.  At the time he was 81 years old.
7. Why waste my time by escaping my daily chores. I wrote a list of meditations above and while doing my chores I meditate.  Its about being consciously aware and connected to every movement.  Also, the second limb of yoga – Niyama’s under the section of cleanliness – Saucha.  This talks about keeping yourself clean as well as your spaces.  Cleaning up after yourself is a practice of keeping the channels of energy open.  It is important to take care of your possession and keeping your spaces tidy.  The pathways can stay open, and the energy can freely flow.
8. I meditated before and never received any benefits. As I mentioned in the beginning of this article it is a “practice”!  The more you practice the more benefits you will receive.  Professional athletes practice there sport daily to keep in shape and get better and better.  Think of all the things that you are good at!  Is that because you did it a handful of times?  Probably not!

As you travel this meditation journey you will notice that some techniques resonate with you and others do not.  Have no expectations!  Sometimes your body and mind cannot settle down and sometimes its best to do a walking meditation or a meditation that requires more movement and a focused intention.

Be kind and gentle with yourself!  Above all do not judge yourself!

Blessings

Laura Canal